Washington is scrambling to assess how Huawei Technologies last week pulled a surprise move with its launch of a new 5G smartphone powered by an advanced chip, a feat that was supposed to be impossible under US trade restrictions. 🍿

https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233166/while-under-us-sanctions-where-did-huawei-get-advanced-chips-its-latest-mate-60-pro-smartphone

Where did Huawei get the advanced chips for its latest Mate 60 Pro smartphone?

Washington is scrambling to assess how Huawei Technologies last week pulled a surprise move with its launch of a new 5G smartphone powered by an advanced chip, a feat that was supposed to be impossible under US trade restrictions. 🍿  https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233166/while-under-us-sanctions-where-did-huawei-get-advanced-chips-its-latest-mate-60-pro-smartphone

Todd Smith

The only viable foundry option for Huawei is Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), which fabricated the 7-nanometer smartphone processor that Huawei used in its new 5G handset released last year.

https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236295/huaweis-5g-smartphone-comeback-advanced-chip-wrapped-secrecy-releases-chokehold-us-sanctions-china?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-insidechinatech&utm_content=20241025&tpcc=enlz-insidechinatech&UUID=f9aaf50d26626de042873bfe2733d91d&tc=4

The only viable foundry option for Huawei is Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), which fabricated the 7-nanometer smartphone processor that Huawei used in its new 5G handset released last year.  https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3236295/huaweis-5g-smartphone-comeback-advanced-chip-wrapped-secrecy-releases-chokehold-us-sanctions-china?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-insidechinatech&utm_content=20241025&tpcc=enlz-insidechinatech&UUID=f9aaf50d26626de042873bfe2733d91d&tc=4

Huawei’s return to the 5G smartphone market and the controversy over its advanced, made-in-China processor reflect the lengths taken by the company to build up its operations, following years of strug

Tech war takes a new turn as Huawei pushes 5G smartphones with mystery chip

Tasia

The main chip in Huawei’s newest flagship smartphone is only an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, according to a teardown by research firm TechInsights.
The small update to the processor suggests that advancements in China’s chip-making abilities have slowed.
Huawei surprised the U.S. government and semiconductor analysts last September when it released a smartphone with a chip that used an advanced manufacturing process it had been banned from accessing since 2020.
Although the chip was several generations behind the world’s most cutting-edge chip fabrication techniques, it still was a milestone for China’s leading chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.
https://library.techinsights.com/public/hg-asset/e71466a2-64ef-410a-af5f-b3d001bd2318

 #🇨🇳 ChinA.I. 🤖🧠🦾🤖

🇨🇳 ChinA.I. 🤖🧠🦾🤖

The main chip in Huawei’s newest flagship smartphone is only an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, according to a teardown by research firm TechInsights. The small update to the processor suggests that advancements in China’s chip-making abilities have slowed. Huawei surprised the U.S. government and semiconductor analysts last September when it released a smartphone with a chip that used an advanced manufacturing process it had been banned from accessing since 2020. Although the chip was several generations behind the world’s most cutting-edge chip fabrication techniques, it still was a milestone for China’s leading chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. https://library.techinsights.com/public/hg-asset/e71466a2-64ef-410a-af5f-b3d001bd2318   #🇨🇳 ChinA.I. 🤖🧠🦾🤖

The authoritative information platform to the semiconductor industry.

TechInsights Platform

Cyril

China’s tech industry is on edge, after the world’s biggest contract chip manufacturer suddenly stopped making advanced AI chips for some mainland companies. 

It all started with a Huawei Technologies artificial intelligence (AI) processor, known as the Ascend 910B. 

Touted as a home-grown alternative to Nvidia chips, the 910B, along with its successor 910C, has been hailed by US-sanctioned Huawei as a breakthrough. But a recent study by Canadian researchers suggests that the 910B wasn’t built on the Chinese mainland – but rather in Taiwan. 

After tearing apart a 910B, TechInsights analysts said they discovered chips made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s most-advanced chip foundry. The chipmaker has been barred by US trade curbs from doing business with Huawei, so one leading theory is that the mainland Chinese giant has been using proxy firms to order from TSMC. 

In what looks like the easiest way to avoid further compliance risks, TSMC on Monday halted mainland Chinese orders for graphics processors and AI accelerators requiring the processing of advanced nodes at 7-nanometre or smaller. 

The move, reportedly ordered by the US government, sparked fears in the Chinese tech industry that TSMC could eventually expand its ban to cover other products ranging from high-end smartphone chips to autonomous-driving car chips.

https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3286204/chinas-tech-firms-fear-bigger-curbs-tsmc-stops-ai-chip-supply-us-order?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-insidechinatech&utm_content=20241115&tpcc=enlz-insidechinatech&UUID=810ab81034dec15e3bb0ff25f2547918&tc=5

China’s tech industry is on edge, after the world’s biggest contract chip manufacturer suddenly stopped making advanced AI chips for some mainland companies.   It all started with a Huawei Technologies artificial intelligence (AI) processor, known as the Ascend 910B.   Touted as a home-grown alternative to Nvidia chips, the 910B, along with its successor 910C, has been hailed by US-sanctioned Huawei as a breakthrough. But a recent study by Canadian researchers suggests that the 910B wasn’t built on the Chinese mainland – but rather in Taiwan.   After tearing apart a 910B, TechInsights analysts said they discovered chips made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s most-advanced chip foundry. The chipmaker has been barred by US trade curbs from doing business with Huawei, so one leading theory is that the mainland Chinese giant has been using proxy firms to order from TSMC.   In what looks like the easiest way to avoid further compliance risks, TSMC on Monday halted mainland Chinese orders for graphics processors and AI accelerators requiring the processing of advanced nodes at 7-nanometre or smaller.   The move, reportedly ordered by the US government, sparked fears in the Chinese tech industry that TSMC could eventually expand its ban to cover other products ranging from high-end smartphone chips to autonomous-driving car chips.  https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3286204/chinas-tech-firms-fear-bigger-curbs-tsmc-stops-ai-chip-supply-us-order?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-insidechinatech&utm_content=20241115&tpcc=enlz-insidechinatech&UUID=810ab81034dec15e3bb0ff25f2547918&tc=5

A wider shipment ban on TSMC-made chips could affect a range of mainland businesses from electric vehicles to smartphones.

China’s tech firms fear bigger curbs as TSMC stops AI chip supply

Bobby

Goes both ways...!
Skydio faces Chinese ban: In a public letter, drone startup Skydio told its customers that after selling its hardware to the National Fire Agency of Taiwan, China sanctioned its operations. That means the company will face a battery shortage for some months, leading it to reduce the number of batteries it places in each drone. However, the startup already had its manufacturing based in the United States and was diversifying its supplier network. Still, the company said that its plight is a “clarifying moment for the drone industry,” erasing any doubt that “the Chinese government will use supply chains as a weapon to advance their interests over ours.”

https://www.skydio.com/blog/chinas-sanctions-on-skydio

Goes both ways...! Skydio faces Chinese ban: In a public letter, drone startup Skydio told its customers that after selling its hardware to the National Fire Agency of Taiwan, China sanctioned its operations. That means the company will face a battery shortage for some months, leading it to reduce the number of batteries it places in each drone. However, the startup already had its manufacturing based in the United States and was diversifying its supplier network. Still, the company said that its plight is a “clarifying moment for the drone industry,” erasing any doubt that “the Chinese government will use supply chains as a weapon to advance their interests over ours.”  https://www.skydio.com/blog/chinas-sanctions-on-skydio

Earlier today I sent this note to our customers. Because this is a critical topic for the drone industry and for our national security, I'm sharing it here publicly as well.

China's Sanctions on Skydio

Beijing-based smartphone maker Xiaomi was credited for designing China’s first 3-nm mobile phone chip, but the company itself has stayed silent on the matter.

The news was sourced to an official at Beijing’s municipal economy and information technology bureau, who said Xiaomi had successfully “taped out” a 3-nm-node mobile chip. No further details were given.

https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3283264/tech-war-chinese-official-praises-xiaomis-chip-design-smartphone-giant-keeps-mum?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-insidechinatech&utm_content=20241025&tpcc=enlz-insidechinatech&UUID=f9aaf50d26626de042873bfe2733d91d&tc=6

Beijing-based smartphone maker Xiaomi was credited for designing China’s first 3-nm mobile phone chip, but the company itself has stayed silent on the matter.  The news was sourced to an official at Beijing’s municipal economy and information technology bureau, who said Xiaomi had successfully “taped out” a 3-nm-node mobile chip. No further details were given.  https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3283264/tech-war-chinese-official-praises-xiaomis-chip-design-smartphone-giant-keeps-mum?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-insidechinatech&utm_content=20241025&tpcc=enlz-insidechinatech&UUID=f9aaf50d26626de042873bfe2733d91d&tc=6

A Beijing municipal official heaps praise on Xiaomi’s design for a 3-nanometre processor, but the smartphone maker has yet to comment.

Todd Smith

A group of likeminded people in The Most Important Thing are talking about this.